On 21 Feb 18 Sgt. S. Parks began an investigation into a burglary at the Drayer residence, Mill Street, Waterford, Ohio. Deputies found the residence had been broken into, ransacked and numerous items stolen including firearms, misc. jewelry, military ribbons and awards, coin collections, and Presidential gold dollars, to name a few.

The previous date, 20 Feb 18, Sgt. Johnson responded to the Lakeside Motel to recover items the staff had found left in a room. Sgt. Johnson recovered numerous military ribbons and awards, jewelry including a Mickey Mouse ring and a piece of broken jewelry with the letters “Ka”. Sgt. Johnson learned the subject renting the room was a Zachary Mounts, and also recovered other items of evidentiary value from the trash. Sgt. Johnson was advised that Mounts was also observed with a large amount of cash, to include foreign money. While meeting with the Drayer family they were able to positively identify the items recovered.

On 3 Mar 18 Zachary Mounts was interviewed at his residence and he admitted to being at the Lakeside Motel and stated the female with him was Lorena Smith. Mounts also admitted to having large amounts of cash but stated Lorena had been providing him with all the cash. Mounts further stated that it was Smith who had wanted to drive up Mill Street in Waterford.

Lt. Hornbeck and Sgt. Parks checked at Bill’s Coin and Jewelry Shop and confirmed that on 19 Feb 18 Zachary Mounts and Lorena Smith had cashed in a private coin collection, as well as Presidential gold dollars. Deputies also learned from a local car dealer that on 19 Feb 18 Lorena Smith and Zachary Mounts purchased a 2002 Mercury Sable with cash.

On 4 Mar 18 Deputies located and spoke with Lorena Smith. Smith confessed that around 15 Feb 18 she and Zachary Mounts had broken into the residence on Mill Street in Waterford. Smith states Mounts had led her to the residence and pried a window pane from a door to the residence and unlocked it. Smith stated her and Mounts both entered the residence and took thousands of dollars worth of coins, which they cashed in at Bill’s Coins and Jewelry in Belpre Ohio. Smith states that a 2002 Mercury Sable was purchased with the money they received from trading in the coins. Smith further advised that she and Mounts entered the residence again during the next 3 to 4 days, taking various items, including the 9mm handgun.

Lt. Hornbeck and Sgt. Parks proceeded to Zachary Mounts’ residence, and located Mounts. Mounts was advised of his Miranda Rights and placed under arrest. Mounts was asked if he had anything illegal on his person and he stated he had methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe in his pocket, which was recovered as evidence.

Mounts denied going inside the residence on Mill Street and stated it was Smith. Mounts was asked about the Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun and he states some unknown person had contacted him to buy the gun. Mounts stated he left the gun near a bridge in Waterford and after being taken to the location to recover it, admitted he had traded the Smith and Wesson, M and P Shield 9mm handgun to a drug dealer in exchange for methamphetamine.